How to lose weight fast: Cut out these 10 ‘healthy’ diet foods secretly making you fat

WEIGHT GAIN: Some diet foods can actually make you put on weight (Pic: GETTY)

Trying to lose weight can be a minefield as there are so many diet options out there.

To make matters even more complicated, many foods branded as “low-fat or “fat-free” could actually do more harm than good to your waistline.

This is because some foods which you might think are healthy are actually packed with hidden sugar and calories.

UNHEALTHY: Some shop bought smoothies are packed with sugar and calories (Pic: GETTY)

Darren Beale from MuscleFood.com said: “We’ve all done it – headed for the healthy food aisles in the supermarket and come out laden with smoothies, trail mix and other tasty treats.

“Look closely though and you’ll see that they can be packed with calories, sugar and fats.

“There are a few simple changes you can make. For example a homemade smoothie made with whole fruits is great so make it yourself rather than buy it from a smoothie bar or the supermarket.

“If you’re a sushi lover, try sticking to sashimi rather than other fancier choices with lots of sauces and unrefined white rice.

“The one thing it’s worth remembering though, is that in moderation, there is nothing wrong with any of these and they all play a role in leading a healthy lifestyle.”

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Here are 10 diet foods that you need to be wary of:

1. Cereal

This might seem like a healthy breakfast option, but many cereals are packed with unhealthy ingredients, including sugar.

The suggested serving is just 30g. Instead start your day with healthier wholegrain cereals or protein-packed eggs.

2. Low-fat spread

You might think opting for margarine over butter will help you lose weight, but this isn’t necessarily true.

Spreads and margarine are full of hydrogenated oils or trans fats which are bad for your cholesterol and heart.

HEALTH: Mayonnaise is one of the worst offenders as it contains around 94 calories per tbsp (Pic: GETTY)

3. Smoothies

While some are ultra nutritious, many supermarket smoothies are also fun of sugar and calories.

Some pre-made smoothies contain nearly 14 teaspoons (55 grams) of sugar in just one bottle.

4. Low-fat yoghurt

Slimmers are often drawn in by labels that say “low-fat”, but these options aren’t always better for you.

Many low-fat yogurts are loaded with added sugars, which isn’t good for weight loss or overall health.

It is actually better to opt for full-fat Greek yogurt. This type of yoghurt contains conjugated linoleic acid, which promotes weight loss and fat burning in overweight and obese people, according to research that includes a large review of 18 studies.

Another 11-year study on 8,238 women, published in the National Institute of Health, found those who consumed more high-fat dairy products gained less weight than women who consumed low-fat varieties.

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5. Dried fruit

Dried fruit is beneficial in small amounts as it is packed with vitamins, minerals and fibre.

However, dried fruit also contains more sugar and calories than fresh fruit, so be cautious about how much you eat.

6. Protein bars

Although a high-protein diet can actually aid weight loss, some pre-made bars are laden with calories.